Prosecutors say the man coerced a young girl to pose with the venomous reptiles

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JACKSON, Miss. — The federal government doesn't want 41 venomous snakes seized from a man prosecutors say had coerced a young girl to pose with the reptiles.

John Joseph Maillet pleaded guilty Sept. 8 to production of child pornography and possession of a firearm by a felon in federal court in Gulfport. He agreed to give up the snakes, guns and computer equipment.

Philip Seymour Hoffman withdrew a total of $1,200 from an ATM at a supermarket near his New York City apartment the night before he was found lifeless in his bathroom with a syringe still in his left arm, sources told NBC News.

A judge on Wednesday approved a request by Prosecutor Scott Gilbert to remove the snakes from a list of forfeited property. Court records described the snakes as venomous but didn't identify them further nor say what will happen to them.

Gilbert didn't immediately respond Thursday to a message.

Maillet, originally from Port Jervis, N.Y., faces up to 30 years imprisonment at sentencing scheduled Dec. 8.

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